Pruning Services

Ornamental Tree Pruning

People get their energy to support their "Biomass" from food. Trees get their energy to support their biomass from the sun. The only way trees can trap the sun to get energy is in the green foliage whether it is in leaves or needles. A reduction of foliage will give less energy to the biomass of the plant.

Specific pruning standards need to be put in place prior to any pruning work task taking place. Tree, site evaluation is the first step. Client goals are determined- Clear branches from the house, shed / Clear electric house drop line / Thin foliar crown to give more sunlight to the lawn / remove dead branches over children's play areas / re shape the upper foliar crown to balance with other trees of the same species along the front of property. Estimated time to perform the work task with cost is given in a written form for the clients review.

What we do

Pruning objectives should be established prior to beginning any pruning operation. This will establish how much pruning is to be done. The Tree Care Industry Association provides two basic objectives.

Hazard Reduction Pruning, H.R.P.- Is recommended when the primary objective is to reduce the danger to a specific target caused by visibly defined hazards in a tree. For example, H.R.P. may be the primary objective if a tree had many dead limbs over a park bench.

Maintenance Pruning, M.P. - Is recommended when the primary objective is to maintain or improve tree health and structure, and includes hazard reduction pruning. An example here might be to perform M.P. operation on a front yard tree.

Pruning Types:

Hazard reduction pruning and maintenance pruning should consist of one or more of the pruning types noted below.

We use the Tree Pruning Standard during tree evaluation.

_____ Crown cleaning....Crown cleaning shall consist of selective removal of one or more of the following items: dead, dying, or diseased branches, weak branches and waterspouts.

_____ Crown thinning....Crown thinning shall consist of the selective removal of branches to increase light penetration, air movement, and reduce weight. Diameter size of branches to be removed should be specified, example 2", 3", etc.

_____ Crown raising....Crown raising shall consist of the removal of the lower branches of a tree to provide clearance for mowing, roof clearance or to even the shape of lower crown.

_____ Crown Reduction, or Crown Shaping....Crown Reduction decreases the height and / or spread of a tree. Consideration will be given to the ability of a species to sustain this type of pruning.

_____ Vista Pruning....Vista Pruning is selective thinning of framework limbs or specific areas of the crown to allow a view of an object from a predetermined point.

_____ Crown Restoration....Crown Restoration pruning should improve the structure, form and appearance of trees which have been severely headed, vandalized, or storm damaged. Fruit trees are a good example.

Branch Diameter Size Classification

Class 1. - Removal of one inchClass 2. - Removal of two - four inchClass 3. - Removal of Four - Six inch

Under no circumstance will we prune with spurs or TOP TREES!

Tree pruning has a very wide range of aspects. First what category of tree are we going to work on? Shade Tree, Ornamental Tree or a Fruit Tree? What stage of life is the tree in ? Establishment Stage, Juvenile Stage, Mature Stage or - Declining Stage? Are there any biotic or A- biotic factors involved with the tree? Biotic- natural insect or disease, A - Biotic - Man made problems,. Planting depth is wrong, too high, a mounding effect or too deep, root flair is buried and the main trunk looks like a telephone pole. Grade change during construction is perhaps the most common A - Biotic problem causing many property owners grief.

Fruit Tree Pruning

Ornamental Shrub Pruning

Pruning is the single best " investment" a property owner or community can make to ensure the survival and lengthen the life span of their trees. Pruning is performed for safety, extending life with corrective branch removal, esthetic value to property or to promote better fruit

Hedge Pruning

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Percentage of Foliar Crown

The Tree Care Industry Association Standard is no more that 25% Foliar reduction in one growing season. This is a National Standard and applies to most Tree Species in New England areas. There are exceptions to this Standard, they are determined by the species ability to with-stand heavy foliar reduction. The tree species and the pruning objectives determine what percentage of the plant can be removed without harming the health of a tree.